ISSN: 2576-0319
Authors: Lucena MCMD* and Alchieri JC
Objective: Evaluating the association between pre-operative psychological and behavioral characteristics and high levels of excess weight in the first 4 years after bariatric surgery using scales for evaluating behavior and the general physical and psychological health of patients. Methods: The study included 66 women and 14 men (mean age: 41.0 ± 10.9 years) who underwent bariatric surgery for weight loss. To identify psychological and behavioral characteristics related to post-operative weight outcomes, the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD) assessment and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were used. A linear mixed model for repeated measurements was used for defining the association between scores and poor outcomes in the first 4 years after surgery. Results: The scales Anxiety–Tension, Depression, Guardedness, Dejected, and Spiritual Absence from the MBMD were significantly associated to higher levels of post-operative excess weight. In the GHQ, the scales Performance Diffidence and Death Ideation were significantly associated to high levels of excess weight in the first 4 years after the surgery. Conclusions: A set of pre-operative psychological characteristics can be related to high levels of excess weight following bariatric surgery. Therefore, effective assessment of these factors is necessary to facilitate the planning of supportive psychological interventions in order to promote the adherence of the patient to a long-term weight loss plan.
Keywords: Adherence to treatment; Bariatric surgery; Obesity; Post-operative outcomes; Psychological evaluation
